Advocate General Maciej Szpunar at the Court of Justice of the European Union issued an opinion on YouTube’s responsibility for distributing illegal gambling advertising in Italy. The available information does not set out the opinion’s reasoning or proposed outcome.
The opinion concerns how responsibility for illegal gambling advertising on online platforms may be assessed in Italy.
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Google expanded its personalised gambling advertising rules on YouTube in the US, UK and Canada from 30 October 2026, according to the report. The update lets advertisers use predefined Google audiences for sensitive categories, including prediction markets, while separate prediction-market advertising eligibility and location restrictions remain in force.
YouTube now carries personalised gambling advertising in the US, the UK and Canada, a reach the company extended while folding prediction markets into its sensitive-category targeting rules. That policy change became effective on October 30. Where prediction market operators may advertise is still governed by separate restrictions, the company's policy states.
Google expanded personalised gambling advertising on YouTube to prediction markets in the US, the UK and Canada, with the change taking effect on 30 October. Google’s policy requires advertisers to hold applicable local financial, commodity or gaming licences; its approved US locations exclude Connecticut, Michigan, Nevada, New York and Ohio, while the UK and Canada are not on the list. Advertisers must also obtain certification and cannot target users under 18 with personalised ads.
Reportedly, Google will widen YouTube Masthead advertising eligibility beyond sports betting on 21 October 2026. Operators must operate under compulsory government registration, obtain Google certification and meet local legal, licensing and age requirements. Google has yet to name the markets where the change will apply.
Google will extend eligibility for YouTube Masthead advertising beyond sports betting from 21 October 2026, the company announced. Under the revised rules, only online gambling operators that are subject to mandatory state or national registration will qualify for the placement. Google has not identified which markets the change will cover, according to a report attributed to Focus Gaming News.
YouTube will allow certified online gambling and betting operators to advertise at the top of its homepage from 21 October 2026. Google announced the change through its October 2026 advertising requirements update.
YouTube will allow certified online gambling and betting operators to place advertising at the top of its homepage from 21 October 2026, according to an update to Google's advertising requirements for October 2026. The change covers Masthead ads, the large-format placements shown at the top of the YouTube homepage ahead of suggested videos.
It was reported that the EU Court of Justice issued a decision allowing potential Google liability for illegal gambling advertising on YouTube. The proceedings originated in Italy.